Review meeting on measures to combat human trafficking and illegal overseas travel
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) reported at a review meeting held on Saturday that this year, 451 individuals involved in human trafficking and illegal travel networks had been arrested. As a result, the number of Pakistanis illegally travelling to Europe had dropped by 47%, with similar reductions seen in illegal travel to the UK and Gulf countries.
According to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, the relevant authorities are taking steps to address human trafficking, like the Federal Minister for Interior personally visiting airports to review recent offloading cases. “The Minister’s proactive approach at airports is highly commendable,” he said.
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Key factors discussed during the meeting that contribute to illegal migration included the misuse of work, visit, and tourist visas, as well as offloading and deportation incidents. Many of the deported passengers came from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Malaysia, and Oman.
He stated that measures against illegal travel and suspicious travel documents should be managed to avoid impacting travellers holding valid documents.
The PM stressed the need for improved coordination between the Protectorate of Immigrants, the FIA, and other related institutions to ensure that individuals travelling legally for overseas employment do not face disruptions. Additionally, he stressed the need to use technology to streamline the immigration process.
PM Shehbaz also called for continued efforts to root out corrupt elements within the FIA, as 196 officers and personnel have already been dismissed for corruption
The FIA has introduced a Risk Assessment Unit that targets passenger screening and incorporates data on deported or illegally travelling passengers. In efforts to streamline processes, work is also underway to implement e-gates at airports, and access to Advanced Passenger Information-Passenger Name Record data will be provided to identify potentially illegal travel documents ahead of time.
A mobile application is being developed to track passenger data, and the FIA’s Integrated Border Management System and Information Technology sections are undergoing restructuring to improve efficiency. Additionally, AI is being employed to enhance surveillance and curb illegal travel.
The meeting was also attended by Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, and other senior government officials.
